U.S. Under-20 MNT Loses 2-1 to Canada in International Friendly at 2012 Marbella Cup

NewsOct 10, 2012

MARBELLA, Spain (Oct. 10, 2012) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team conceded a late goal and suffered a 2-1 loss against Canada on Wednesday in an international friendly at the 2012 Marbella Cup at the Marbella Football Center in Spain.

Canada took the first-half lead through midfielder Samuel Piette in the 33rd minute. Piette, who earned his first senior cap with Canada in a scoreless draw against the U.S. on June 3 at BMO Field in Toronto, received the ball off a corner kick near the left edge of the penalty box and found space near the goal. Piette fired a hard shot past U.S. U-20s goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh and into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The U.S. found the equalizer off the head of forward Mario Rodriguez in the 75th minute. Following a strong run down the flank by midfielder Marc Pelosi, the Liverpool youth player cut back near the corner flag to create space and delivered a cross into the box that found Rodriguez six yards from goal to tie the match 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, the lead wouldn’t hold as Vancouver Whitecaps forward Caleb Clarke received the ball near the top of the box after Canada forced a turnover in the U.S. zone and slotted a low shot past McIntosh for the game-winner in the 80th minute.

Canada outshot the U.S. 10-9 overall, including 4-3 on goal and the sides combined to commit 35 fouls. Canada was issued three yellow cards to just one for the U.S.

The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team faces Scotland on Friday, Oct. 12 at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET) in the second of three international friendlies during the 2012 Marbella Cup.